Despite forming over a decade ago, indie rock band Spouse is anything but old hat and their new album “Confidence,” which came out earlier this spring, goes a long way to prove that. The consistent parade of different musical styles and musical talent used throughout is not normally seen in an indie-rock album of this stature, but it helps the whole thing to pop and keeps it from becoming another face in the crowd.
“No Sudden Moves,” which kicks off the album, lets the powerful vocals speak for themselves by echoing through your headphones into the back of your head. Most of the music is very percussion heavy but the song that allows the drums to play through at full bore is the dreamy yet bouncy “Impressed by You.”
Out of all the songs “59” stands out on its own simply because it’s supported beautifully by the band and sung entirely in Spanish, which isn’t something you’ll get from most bands out of Portland.
With the passage of each song it is hard not to see the specific intention and attention to detail that helps to envelop you in the world that Spouse creates. The guitars unfortunately struggle to be heard within the album but have their own chance to show off later when they break through in “Keep Being You.” Rounding out the album nicely is the aptly titled “Success.” The song lays down a smooth ballad style while retaining a soft indefinable punk afterglow.
Overall, Spouse’s new album provides an alternative to some of the all too standard indie rock out on the market today. Spouse changes things up often with different styles—and languages—but can get lost in the rough water of its own innovation. Yet, everything is so well supported it buries what little faults there are under heaps of musical talent and experience.